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UA Blue Chip Program welcomes its first incoming freshman class

After one year, a UA-sponsored leadership program has attracted nearly 250 new members who wish to ease their way into the college lifestyle.

The Blue Chip program was initiated to help incoming students adapt to the college lifestyle. After recruitment in high school, the students continue to follow a four-year schedule of learning and adjustment, until graduation.

Blue Chip was designed to improve freshman retention by helping students throughout their college career.

"To be involved with the Blue Chip Program will help with the transition from high school to college," said marketing freshman Robert Licoletti, who just began participating in the new program.

The leadership program was proposed in the fall of 1998, and high school recruitment commenced last spring. A Blue Chip pamphlet was included in all freshman packets sent out to prospective students.

"It's a program designed to develop leadership skills outside the classroom," said Terry Thompson the Blue Chip leadership coordinator.

Over the next four years, current Blue Chip students will learn a variety of skills. The initial year focuses on surviving the freshman year.

"It will strengthen our leadership skills and help us make friends," said engineering freshman Lisa Greisger.

Incoming Blue Chip freshmen began the Track 1 portion of the program during their senior year of high school. Track 1, which ends in October, includes 241 freshmen who are divided into 20 groups. Each group is overseen by a volunteer faculty advisor.

"I hope to challenge my students' beliefs about what leadership really is and introduce concepts of non-traditional leadership methods," said team faculty leader Jen Woodward, a graduate student.

During the fall semester, freshmen are introduced to a variety of academic and health concerns, including, among others, classroom and study skills, time management skills, and health and wellness issues.

Next semester, these students will receive an introduction to work study programs, career services and financial aid services. An academic review will also help keep students on the correct academic path.

"I hope I'll find something in this program that will help me decide what I want to do for my future," said Brooke Hamlett, secondary education freshman.

The second step of the program, Track 2, continues throughout the rest of the students' stay at the UA. During their sophomore year, students involve themselves in career fairs, mentorship and counseling programs, as well as leadership retreats and workshops.

Community service and volunteer work is the focal point of the Blue Chip program. It is designed to build leaders who will eventually teach future leaders.

"I want to develop the patience to deal with the problems that others can't handle on their own," said Valerie Booton, molecular and biological sciences freshmen.

The final two Blue Chip years will involve practicing and utilizing the leadership skills taught the prior year. During their senior year, students will teach and mentor incoming Blue Chip freshmen.

There are numerous incentives for students to stick with the program until their graduation. Upon graduation, Blue Chip students receive distinctions such as co-curricular transcripts and subject matter certification. Along with these, graduating seniors also receive Blue Chip certification, to teach incoming members.

The Blue Chip office, located in Memorial Student Union room 353, offers a large meeting room that provides students a place to relax in between classes. It also serves as a meeting place for mentoring and counseling services.

Any UA student is eligible to apply for the Track 2 Blue Chip program. The deadline for applications, found in the Blue Chip office, is October 1.